The local Rose Hill Speckle Park Stud had a strong showing at the Sydney Royal, bringing home the gong for Grand Champion Female. Alex Pateman and Natalie Merz started the stud with the birth of their first three embryo transfer calves in 2011. Since then they've been using embryo transfer, artificial insemination and natural breeding to build their numbers - for the last two years they've breed around 40 calves a year. "In the past years at Sydney Royal we have placed in stud classes as well as in hoof and hook classes," Natalie said. "This year we took a team that we were very happy with. Some of the animals were by bulls that we sourced while in Canada. "All of our team placed in their classes this year. After an amazing day we came away with five firsts, two reserve champions and astoundingly Grand Champion Female. "Our Grand Champion Female, Rose Hill Secret Rendezvous, was also Grand Champion Female at Mudgee Show this year. A great female in her own right, she was a stand out due to a fantastic calf at foot, Rose Hill Secret's Out, who is by the first bull we purchased in Canada, Underhill All Out." The stud's Rose Hill Montagu was named Reserve Senior Champion Bull and Rose Hill Sophia picked up the Reserve Senior Champion Female. Alex and Natalie have travelled twice to Canada - where the Speckle Park breed originates - to source genetics. "We purchased our first bull in Canada in 2016 and now have shares in four Canadian females as well as a bull, MX El Guapo, who we hope will do great things for Speckles in Australia," Natalie said. The stud will be holding their first open day at their property at Lue during Southern Beef Week, at the end of July. READ ALSO: Officers of the Orana Mid-Western Police District awarded | Gallery READ ALSO: Mudgee Easter race meet a success on all grounds | Photos

Local Speckle Parks shine at Sydney Royal

The local Rose Hill Speckle Park Stud had a strong showing at the Sydney Royal, bringing home the gong for Grand Champion Female.

Alex Pateman and Natalie Merz started the stud with the birth of their first three embryo transfer calves in 2011. Since then they've been using embryo transfer, artificial insemination and natural breeding to build their numbers - for the last two years they've breed around 40 calves a year.

"In the past years at Sydney Royal we have placed in stud classes as well as in hoof and hook classes," Natalie said.

"This year we took a team that we were very happy with. Some of the animals were by bulls that we sourced while in Canada.

"All of our team placed in their classes this year. After an amazing day we came away with five firsts, two reserve champions and astoundingly Grand Champion Female.

"Our Grand Champion Female, Rose Hill Secret Rendezvous, was also Grand Champion Female at Mudgee Show this year. A great female in her own right, she was a stand out due to a fantastic calf at foot, Rose Hill Secret's Out, who is by the first bull we purchased in Canada, Underhill All Out."